The historic Latin American festival is due to return to Burgess Park next week, in memory of a local mum-of-two who died suddenly this June aged 29, and was “loved by the whole community.”
On Sunday, 20 August, Carnaval del Pueblo will take place on the Great Lawn in Burgess Park, following last year’s wildly successful event.
The free Latin American festival, running from 11 am to 10 pm, will host a food and drinks market, fairground, salsa tent, and a main stage with DJs and live music.
This year’s festival is dedicated to the life and memory of Adela Ibarra Valencia, a deeply loved member of the Carnaval del Pueblo family who died unexpectedly in June this year, aged 29.
Nuala Riddell-Morales, director of Carnaval and a lifelong friend of Adela’s told us: “Adela came to London as a very young child from Buenaventura (Colombia) in difficult circumstances, and her escapism was coming to the Latin American school Carnaval ran on Saturdays in Clapham.
“She always helped her mum who did a stall in every Carnaval, and she performed as a dancer in every Carnaval and all the New Year’s Day Parades.
Nuala added that Adela was “born to smile and perform.”
In an interview just last year when the Carnaval returned after a twelve-year hiatus, Adela told us how much it meant to her since she literally grew up with the festival, attending and performing every year.
Nuala continued: “She was loved by the whole community but never realised it – the community is in shock.”
“Everywhere she went, she filled the room. I don’t think she twigged her impact. This year we will be celebrating Adela’s life.”
She said they will be having a moment of silence for her at the festival.
Carnaval del Pueblo return proves legacy has not been forgotten
“We’ll also be raising awareness about the ongoing fundraiser for her funeral costs and for her family, including her two young sons”.
She is survived by her two sons, Julio (10) and Joel (4), her mother, her sister and the Latin American community in Southwark and beyond.
The festival will strive to celebrate the cultures from all across Latin America, through music, cuisine and entertainment.
The music lineup includes Colombian salsa star Charlie Cardona, Percussionist Roberto Pla’s jazz big band, Cuban jazz violinist Omar Puente and his sextet and many more acts from across Latin America.
New to this year’s Carnaval is the Carnavalito Family Village run by Latin Hub UK.
The children and family area will offer a quieter environment and bilingual activities like a storytelling tent hosted by Piñata Bookstore, a toddlers club run by Tia Ana Nursery, arts and crafts, mini football, and kids karaoke.
As always, the array of food stalls will offer Latin American delights including Colombian, Ecuadorian, Mexican, Bolivian, Argentinian, Cuban, Brazilian, Peruvian and Spanish with vegan and halal options available.
The salsa tent, run by long-time Southwark instructor, Elder Sanchez and his team from the Salsateca dance school, will kick off at 1:30 pm and run until 6 pm, with a mix of free salsa and bachata lessons, and freestyle dancing to DJs.
Entering the park from the parade down Old Kent Rd at 2 pm, look out for the dancers in authentic colourful costumes.
Anyone wanting to donate to Adela’s fundraising page click here.
To ensure the organisers can carry on hosting this free celebration every year, click here to donate. There are some great rewards for donors too.
For those interested in stall space or sponsorship, please contact markets@carnavaldelpueblo.org.
The founders give special thanks to Arts Council England, United St Saviours Charity, Counsul Marisol Rojas Izquierdo and Southwark Council for their funding, Solomon Travel and Air Europa for their donation of plane tickets to the raffle, and their collaborators and contributors Latin Hub UK, Salsateca, George Irvin’s Funfair and Leisure.
Carnaval del Pueblo will take place on Sunday, 20 August from 11 am on the Great Lawn, Burgess Park, Albany Rd, SE5 0AL.
Entry is free.